‘I told my two closest friends and their responses were: 1) isn’t it a bit weird all that dressing up? And 2) I guess it will be good for your career as masonry is about men getting up the greasy pole. I then had to explain brotherhood, charity, etc.’

One commenter, cashman83, posting on Reddit described what he found valuable about the movement:

For the first time in my life I felt like I belonged and had a load of people that cared about me, my purpose, my goals, my future. Not just education, or learning a secret lost art. I was taught how to remember myself. Be a great man, a leader, someone people looked up to. But I guess this kind of power makes men great and do amazing things, it must be a conspiracy ? No its mostly an organization of loving guys that give a damn about you!

Another said: ‘I look forward to the fraternity and fellowship which will come with my participation. The ritual and costuming are icing on the cake.’

In a bid to try and spread membership, 55 university lodges have been set up since 2005 in the UK and membership fees have been reduced for members under 25.